Conduit structure for traction-cables



(No Model.)

W. PHENIX.

GONDUIT STRUCTURE FOR TRACTION GABLES No. 364,288. Patented June '7, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VVILLIZXM PHENIX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

C ONDUIT STRUCTURE FOR TRACTlON-CABLES.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 364,288, dated June 7, 1887.

Application filed July 13, 1886. Serial No. 207,854. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known thatI, WILLIAM PHENIX, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a ConduitStructure for TractioirGables, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, that will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in the manner of constructing conduits for traction-cables used in operating streetcar lines, the object being to provide a structure of a very durable character which will be capable of resisting the action of frost and other atmospheric changes.

Figurel is a transverse section and elevation embodying my improved features; Fig. 2, a transverse section of one of the slot-rails; Fig. 3, a horizontal section of the conduit-yoke in the plane 3 3, Fig. 1, showing the relative po sition of the yoke and inner end of the cross tie; Fig. 4., a transverse section of one of the T-shaped cross-ties; Fig. 5, a vertical section of the yoke and cross-tie in the plane 5 5, Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a section of the yoke in the plane 6 6, Fig. 1; and Fig. 7, a plan ofthe yoke.

In the drawings, A represents one of a series of web-yokes used in the construction of a cable-way, and which will ordinarily be composed of cast metal. The outer rounding bead,- a, forms the edge of the yoke upward from the middle, curving inwardly, and terminating, on each side of the cable'passage, in the seatplates a a, which receive and support the slot or Z rails A A". The lower square corners, a a extending beyond the line of the curved strengthening-bead a, are a continuation of the yoke-web, the horizontal bottom line, ending with the flanges a projecting from each side, (seeFig.6,) and forming agood holding-ground for the yoke when embedded in the cement filling, and solidly anchoring the same against the upheaval action of the frost. The inner curved edge of the yoke, inclosing the cable way or passage, is provided with the beaded flange a. The web of the yoke runs inwardly beyond the beaded flange near the top, and rounds or fillsout the corners formed by the junction of the bead a and the under side of the seat-plates a a, thus greatly strengthening this part of the yoke and adding to the support of the slot-rails.

The slot-rails are of the shape shown in Fig. 2, the lower horizontal part gradually growing thinner as the edge is approached, thus presenting a good wide surface to the seatplates formed integral with the yoke, and also presenting a good bedding-surface to the paving material.

The seat-plates are perforated (see Fig. 7) for the insertion of the bolts 1), securing the slot-rails in the position shown inFig. 1.

The cross-ties B B are T-shaped, (see Fig. 4,) the inner ends being arranged on opposite sides of each yoke and abutting against the inner beaded flange, a, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The lug I) (see Fig. 5) is formed on the opposite sides of the yoke, and serves as a seat or support for the vertical part of the cross-tie. The inner ends of the eross-ties are secured to the yoke by the pivot-boltbflwhich permits of a slight up and down movement of the outer ends, so as toenable these parts to better resist and more easily conform to atmospheric and other changes.

That part of the crossties overlapping the yoke is cut away on that side next to the same, (see Fig. 3,) so as to embed the bead a and bring the body of the tie up closer to the web of the yoke, in order to increase the area of the surface on the beaded flange a presented to the abutting end of the tie.

The diagonal braces O O extend from the lower corners of the yoke to the under side of and in the direction of the outer ends of the cross-ties. The lower ends of these braces rest squarely on the seats Z), cast or formed on the web of the yoke, as shown on one side and indicated by dotted lines on the opposite side, the braces alternating in this manner.

The lower ends of the braces O G are adapted to have. an automatic endwise adj ustment by means of the slots (1, which permits of the braces riding on the attaching bolts. This feature guards against a too rigid construction, and allows sufficient play to prevent the structure from being seriously afiected by atmospheric changes or by street traffic, and at the same time retains all the parts in a proper working position.

Fig. 1 shows the manner of laying and securing two different styles of track-rails, D D, to the cross-ties. In connection with this construction a sewer-pipe, E,'Wl11 be located in the relative position shown. Openings from the bottom of the cable-way into this pipe will be located at intervals, so that the cable way or conduit passage will always be kept free from water.

The greatest difficulty to be met with in the construction of cable roads is caused by the action of frost, which has a tendency to close the grip-slot. By the form of construction and arrangement shown the cross-ties are adapted to have a slight up and down adjustment from a pivotal point, and are prevented from having an inward endwise pressure. The pound ing of heavy traffic Wagons crossing the track also has the efiect of springing and displacing the slot-rails. The form of yoke shown and the manner of supporting the slot-rails in relation to the same presents a structure that will to a great extent, if not altogether, overcome this difficulty.

The outside dotted lines,d,show the concrete filling, which may extend clear to the top, or only to the cross-line (F, and above that point with timber.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A web-yoke structure of the character described, having the outer bead, a, curving inwardly at the top and terminating on each side of the grip-passage in the seat plates a a", the inner beaded flange, a, inclosing the cable passage, the square corners a a", extending beyond the line of the bead a, and the bottom flange, a, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The combination, with a yoke structure provided'with the beaded flange a and the lug b, of a cross tie abutting against said flange, resting on said lug, and pivoted to said yoke, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a yoke structure provided on the lower part with the seats if, of the self-adjusting diagonal braces O G and the cross tie or ties B 13, substantially as set forth.

L. M. FREEMAN, L. B. COUPLAND. 

